If you’re wondering how to choose a dog trainer, you’re right to do a little research before booking. Dog training and behaviour work are not government regulated in the UK, which means someone can call themselves a dog trainer or behaviourist without first having to prove that they meet a professional standard.
That does not mean there aren’t excellent trainers out there. There absolutely are. But it does mean that methods, qualifications and professional accountability can vary enormously.
To choose a good dog trainer, check three things: their methods, relevant education and practical assessment, and whether they have professional accountability.
- What methods do they use?
- What qualifications, education and practical assessment sit behind their experience?
- Are they part of a reputable professional organisation or register?
A recommendation can be a great place to start. It should not be where your research ends.
1. How to choose a dog trainer: check their methods
For me, this is the most important place to start.
Two people can both call themselves dog trainers and approach exactly the same problem in completely different ways.
One trainer may look at why your dog is pulling, barking, reacting or struggling, consider how your dog is feeling and teach alternative behaviours using reinforcement.
Another may focus primarily on stopping the visible behaviour through corrections or discomfort.
So rather than getting too caught up in labels such as balanced, traditional or force-free, look closely at what the trainer actually does.
Look at the equipment they use
Prong collars, electronic collars and choke chains would be immediate red flags for me.
A slip lead is not automatically aversive simply because somebody is using one. What matters is how equipment is used. If a lead is deliberately jerked or tightened to punish pulling, barking or reacting, that tells you something important about the trainer’s methods.
You’ll sometimes hear arguments such as:
- “It’s fine in the right hands.”
- “It’s all about timing.”
- “You just need to know how to use it properly.”
Rather than getting lost in terminology, ask a simpler question:
What happens to my dog when they get something wrong?
If you’d like to understand the learning theory and welfare considerations in more detail, read my guide to punishment in dog training. I also have detailed guides on e-collars and the common arguments used to justify them and choke chains.
Be cautious of dominance, alpha and pack-leader advice
I’d also be cautious if a trainer repeatedly talks about being the “alpha”, becoming “top dog”, being your dog’s “pack leader” or needing to show your dog “who’s boss”.
Those phrases are often used to justify confrontation, intimidation or physical corrections when a more useful question would be: why is this behaviour happening, and what can we teach instead?
Scrutinise dramatic before-and-after videos
You’ve probably seen them.
In the “before”, the dog is pulling, barking or lunging. Moments later, the same dog is walking silently beside the trainer.
It can look incredibly impressive.
But I’d always ask:
What happened in between?
If a dog is repeatedly corrected every time they pull, bark or react, the behaviour may stop. But stopping a behaviour does not necessarily mean you have addressed why it was happening.
And an obedient, quiet or still dog is not necessarily a comfortable dog.
For me, how we achieve the result matters just as much as the result itself.
2. Check the trainer’s qualifications and education
Qualifications do not automatically make somebody a brilliant dog trainer. Equally, somebody without a formal qualification is not automatically a bad trainer.
But qualifications, practical assessment and continuing education give you more information to go on than somebody simply telling you they know what they are doing.
Useful questions include:
- What relevant education have you completed?
- Have your practical training skills been independently assessed?
- How do you keep your knowledge up to date?
- Do you complete continuing professional development (CPD)?
- Do you have experience relevant to the problem I need help with?
Experience matters, but years alone do not prove skill
Someone could spend 25 years practising the same outdated methods.
Just because somebody has been doing something for a long time does not necessarily mean they are skilled at it or that their methods have evolved alongside our understanding of canine behaviour and welfare.
I’d rather see somebody who is curious, reflective and willing to keep learning than somebody relying purely on how long they have been in the industry.
Social media followers are not a qualification
I have seen trainers with only a few hundred followers giving thoughtful, excellent advice, and accounts with more than a million followers giving advice I would never recommend.
A million followers may mean somebody is very good at Instagram. Unfortunately, Instagram does not assess dog trainers.
Look beyond the follower count and ask what education, assessment and professional standards sit behind the profile.
If you’d like to learn more about modern, welfare-led training yourself, I’ve also put together a list of recommended dog training books for owners.
3. Look for professional standards and accountability
The third thing I’d check is whether the trainer has been assessed through a reputable professional organisation or register.
Professional membership does not magically make somebody a brilliant trainer, and somebody who is not a member is not automatically poor.
What it can provide is something beyond:
“Trust me, I’m good.”
Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT)
The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) assesses Full Members against knowledge, understanding and practical training skills. Full Members also agree to follow a binding Code of Practice covering professional and ethical standards.
You can search for an assessed APDT trainer through the APDT trainer directory.
Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC)
The Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) maintains professional standards and national practitioner registers for roles including Animal Training Instructor and Clinical Animal Behaviourist.
It is worth understanding the terminology here: individual practitioners are registered with the ABTC in an assessed role, while professional organisations are members of the Council.
You can learn more and search for registered practitioners through the ABTC website.
Do not rely on a logo or badge on somebody’s website alone. If a trainer says they are an APDT Full Member or registered with the ABTC, use the relevant directory to check that they are actually listed.
I am a Full Member of the APDT and registered with the ABTC as an Animal Training Instructor.
If you are currently comparing trainers and would like to see how I work, you can browse my dog training services in Essex and Hertfordshire, including classes and individual support.
Don’t rely on dog trainer recommendations alone
Someone asks in a Facebook group:
“Can anyone recommend a good dog trainer?”
Within minutes there may be twenty different names.
Recommendations are useful. I use recommendations myself.
But someone recommending a trainer tells you that they were happy with the outcome. It does not necessarily tell you how that outcome was achieved.
Their dog stopped pulling. Stopped barking. Stopped reacting.
That may genuinely be the result they wanted.
I’d still want to know: how did the trainer get there?
Take the recommendation and then spend ten minutes looking through the trainer’s website and social media. Watch them work. Look at the equipment they use. Look at what they do when a dog struggles.
In my experience, you often learn more about a trainer by watching what happens when a dog struggles than when everything is going perfectly. Do they slow down, change the plan and give the dog time to process, or do they increase pressure until the behaviour stops?
How to find a good dog trainer near you
Starting with trainers in your local area makes sense, but distance should not be the deciding factor. Use professional directories such as the APDT and ABTC to build a shortlist, then check each trainer’s methods, education and experience against the points above.
Do not choose purely because somebody is closest to you or runs a class on the most convenient evening. Travelling a little further for the right professional can be well worth it.
Dog trainer or behaviourist: which do you actually need?
This is something many dog owners understandably do not know when they first start looking for help.
A dog trainer is usually the appropriate professional for things such as:
- puppy training
- recall
- loose-lead walking
- settling
- greetings
- everyday life skills
- general training and prevention
More complex behavioural problems, particularly significant fear, anxiety, aggression or behavioural change with a possible medical component, may need a suitably qualified behaviour professional working alongside your vet.
What is a Clinical Animal Behaviourist?
A Clinical Animal Behaviourist works with more complex behaviour cases and has advanced knowledge and assessed competencies in animal behaviour.
The ABTC has a specific Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB) professional standard and practitioner register.
Importantly, somebody simply putting “behaviourist” in their business name, website or TikTok bio does not prove that they have reached that standard.
Because the wider industry is unregulated, always check what qualifications, assessment and professional registration sit behind the title.
Your vet can also help you decide whether a behaviour referral is appropriate. Some pet insurance policies may contribute towards behavioural treatment where their individual terms are met, so it can be worth checking your policy before booking.
Dog trainer red flags: a quick checklist
I would pause and ask more questions if I saw any of the following:
- Prong collars, e-collars or choke chains used as part of routine training.
- Slip leads deliberately jerked or tightened to correct behaviour.
- Repeated lead corrections for pulling, barking or reacting.
- Heavy emphasis on dominance, alpha, pack-leader or “show them who’s boss” language.
- Promises to “fix” your dog or guarantee complex behavioural change in a single session.
- Dramatic before-and-after videos without showing the training process in between.
- Refusing to explain what happens when your dog gets something wrong.
- No information about education, assessment or ongoing professional development.
- Using follower numbers or testimonials as the main evidence of expertise.
- Claiming to be able to deal with every training and behaviour problem without ever referring elsewhere.
None of those points needs to become an argument with the trainer. You are simply gathering information before deciding who you are comfortable trusting with your dog.
Questions to ask a dog trainer before you book
You do not need to know dog-training terminology to ask useful questions.
- What training methods do you use?
- What happens if my dog gets something wrong?
- Do you use prong collars, e-collars, choke chains or physical lead corrections?
- What qualifications or professional education do you have?
- Have your practical skills been assessed?
- Are you a member of, or registered through, a professional organisation?
- How do you keep your knowledge up to date?
- Is this problem within your area of expertise?
- What would make you refer me to another trainer, behaviour professional or vet?
- Can I observe a class or see how you work before I book?
A good professional should be comfortable explaining what they do and why they do it.
There are some brilliant dog trainers out there
This article is not intended to make choosing a dog trainer feel frightening.
There are some fantastic professionals doing thoughtful, ethical work and helping dogs and their owners every day.
The aim is simply to give you enough information to make an informed choice in an industry where the title alone does not tell you very much.
And be cautious of anyone promising to “fix your dog”.
Dogs aren’t broken things that need fixing.
They’re there to be understood.
Looking for a dog trainer in Essex or Hertfordshire?
If you’re looking for kind, practical, force-free support, have a look at my dog training services in Essex and Hertfordshire.
You’ll find puppy classes, dog training classes, individual consultations and online support, so you can choose the option that best fits you and your dog.
If I’m not the right professional for your situation, I would rather point you towards somebody I know and trust who is better placed to help.
If you prefer to learn at your own pace, you can also explore my force-free online dog training courses.
FAQ
How do I choose a good dog trainer?
Start with three things: methods, qualifications and professional accountability. Watch how the trainer actually works, check what education or assessment sits behind their experience, and look for membership or registration with a reputable professional organisation.
Are dog trainers regulated in the UK?
No. Dog training and behaviour work are not currently regulated by government in the UK. Someone can call themselves a dog trainer or behaviourist without first proving that they meet a professional standard, which is why checking methods, education and professional registration is so important.
What are red flags when choosing a dog trainer?
Red flags for me include routine use of prong collars, e-collars, choke chains or physical lead corrections; dominance or pack-leader language; dramatic promises of quick fixes; reluctance to explain methods; and little evidence of relevant education or professional accountability.
Does a dog trainer need qualifications?
There is no legal requirement for a UK dog trainer to hold a particular qualification. A qualification does not automatically make somebody excellent, but relevant education, practical assessment and ongoing learning give owners more evidence on which to base their decision.
Does APDT membership or ABTC registration guarantee a good trainer?
No professional membership or registration can guarantee that every client will have the perfect experience. What reputable organisations can provide is assessment against defined standards, codes of professional conduct and accountability beyond the trainer simply describing themselves as qualified.
What is the difference between a dog trainer and a Clinical Animal Behaviourist?
A dog trainer commonly helps with skills such as puppy training, recall, loose-lead walking and everyday manners. A suitably qualified Clinical Animal Behaviourist works with more complex behavioural problems such as significant fear, anxiety or aggression and may work alongside your veterinary team.
Should I choose the dog trainer with the best reviews or most followers?
Reviews and recommendations can be useful, but they should be the beginning of your research rather than the end. Follower numbers tell you very little about training skill. Look at what the trainer actually does, how they achieve results and what professional education or assessment sits behind their profile.
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